.375 H&H Magnum

Most people here will say that it will shove you instead of kick you. The 375 can be loaded quite accomadating, according to all reloading manuals. I've only fired Doglegs CZ, and that was enough, I decided to build my own. Quit worrying about recoil, you won't feel it hunting anyways.
 
Proper form at the bench with a good recoil pad makes a big difference.

Pile up the sandbags. Sit upright with your back as straight as possible. DON'T lean into it and keep the scope forward in the ring to avoid unwanted contact with your eyebrow. :D


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I've shot some game with a .375 and had less meat damage than would of been the case had I used a .270. Blood shot meat is often a result of high velocity combined with lightly built bullets and poor bullet placement. I'm sure most 270 or 300 gr bullets will not produce excessive blood shot meat if you stay out of the shoulder.

I can tell you that the recoil from a .375 is quite manageable for me, but I do not know to what degree it might upset you. If you can tolerate heavy .30-06 loads in a light rifle, it should not be an issue. One reason the .375 is the most common client rifle in Africa is because people can shoot it well.

The Ruger #1 handles recoil very well, but if you buy one it might be an idea to have the bedding of the butt at the tang checked. Sometimes the wood of replacements butts do not match the forend wood as nicely as the factory original.
 
The "Tropical" in 375 H&H at over 8 lbs (9lbs + w/scope/mounts) is seemingly tamer than a "hot-loaded" 45-70 in the much lighter
"Medium Sporter".

Ruger pads remind me of hockey pucks ... first item of business, throw away the Ruger original pad and put on either a Limbsaver R3 or Pachmayr Old English Decelerator !
 
I have no problems handling the 375. It really helps to pull it into your body nice and tight, and to maintain a nice tight cheek weld as well so it doesn't come back and slam you. Proper eye relief is also important.
 
beretta boy said:
The "Tropical" in 375 H&H at over 8 lbs (9lbs + w/scope/mounts) is seemingly tamer than a "hot-loaded" 45-70 in the much lighter
"Medium Sporter".
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exactly....a friend of mine has both....the 375 recoils less than the 45-70....I had a Tropical in 458 and it wasn't even as bad for recoil as some would expect...
 
Don't let people scare you about the .375. It's not really a 'push' exactly, but it's definitely not overwhelming or painful. I can shoot 50 rounds in a sitting off the bench doing load development, and it's just not that bad. Posture is important, and so long as your rifle is heavy enough (the Ruger #1 fits the bill...) you'll be fine.

Now a .416 or .458 off the bench, that's painful...
 
kell2784 said:
Most people here will say that it will shove you instead of kick you. The 375 can be loaded quite accomadating, according to all reloading manuals. I've only fired Doglegs CZ, and that was enough, I decided to build my own. Quit worrying about recoil, you won't feel it hunting anyways.
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kell2784,
So far the most common reaction to firing that CZ is the same as your's, I.E. "I gotta get me one of these!":D I suspect that if the rifle were a couple pounds lighter folks would rethink that stance a bit though.
It's easy to see how the H&H became the closest thing to a universal, one gun for the world, piece of ordinance. Without even getting too imaginative with bullet choices you can go from the smallest of antelope and deer to literally elephants. A 270 grain TSX gives 30-06 /180 grain trajectories and doesn't wreak any more meat than "little" guns. Recoil is manageable, anyone that can shoot a .300 mag in an 8ish pound rifle can shoot an .375 in a ten pounder. Not only can it be pressed into service, it is also a very good choice for just about anything I can think of. It really is that good.
There are a few things that the .375 isn't. It isn't much of a varmint rifle, it isn't the last word in either trajectory or absolute stopping power. It isn't really suited for a real light-weight rifle, and it probably isn't much of a choice for p*ssies. :D
When will your's be ready?
Mike
 
I have a ZKK 602 in 375 hh, it's no problem at all to shoot and it's a bit of a mind #### loading up those big cartridges. It is incredibly accurate and all the deer I have shot with it (50 yds or less) never ran, just reared up and fell over. Downside, it's a heavy bastard to tote up a mountain where I do a lot of hunting and for this reason am thinking about selling it. Enjoy your .375 in whatever rifle you buy, you'll love it.
 
Mike, she's going to be a budget affair: I have a couple of 'nicely modded' P14's, and one of them is destined for my 375 wby. I wanted a CZ action, but I decided to go with a heavy Win built p14. Another member on this board has a Shilen 375 wby barrel that I hope to use. I also plan on firing reg. 375 H+H brass. But this is another topic, I'll post an update later.
 
Recoil has a lot to do with what you plan to use tha rifle for. ie; If you plan do spend a lot of time at the range shooting from the bench then I'd say a 375 is a bit much. If it's for hunting moose in grizzly country, then the 375 is about perfect. And the Ruger #1 is even perfecter.

P.S. does any one know if "perfecter" is actualy a word?
 
USP said:
is it comparable to maybe say a 12 guage 3 inch slug?
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If you can shoot a Federal 12 gauge 3" slug in a short barreled pump shotgun, you won't find a .375 in a Ruger #1 very difficult. I found that these slugs in a 20" Cooey shotgun was most distressing to shoot well. The .375 is far more pleasant, and far more accurate.
 
Kell2784,
Be sure to post the details when you get the project up and running. The Weatherby cartridge is interesting, most improved cartridges don't have much extra to offer in case capacity but this is one of the exceptions due to the very tapered case of the H&H.
Dogleg
 
SuperCub said:
Proper form at the bench with a good recoil pad makes a big difference.

Pile up the sandbags. Sit upright with your back as straight as possible. DON'T lean into it and keep the scope forward in the ring to avoid unwanted contact with your eyebrow. :D


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Click to expand...
Your recommendations are right on the money. I had a Ruger #1 in .375 H&H and with the heavier bullets loaded close to max, it 'pounded' pretty good. I can't recall the name but a recoil set-up that made considerable difference looked like a recoil pad that had mated with an accordion. Putting that on the #1 made it bearable for me. I had a Brno ZKK 602 in .458wm, have a model 70 in the same cal and have a custom 375 H&H based on a Sako action but found the recoil of that #1 a lot sharper.
 
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